Rylan Clark will face the unique panel on The Assembly as series two continues with candid conversations and surprising moments
The ITV programme The Assembly has returned for a second run and the producers have revealed that television presenter Rylan Clark will be one of the celebrities taking a seat in front of the show’s distinctive panel. The format places well-known figures opposite a group of interviewers who are autistic, neurodivergent and/or living with learning disabilities, and it deliberately encourages questions that are frank and unfiltered.
The series, which has previously been recognised with a BAFTA nomination, is an adaptation of the French format Les Rencontres du Papotin and was developed with input from disability organisations to ensure authenticity on screen and behind the scenes.
Who appears in series two
Series two has already introduced several high-profile guests and the roster continues to grow. Early instalments have featured figures such as Sir Stephen Fry, former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon, comedy legend Sir Lenny Henry and actress Anna Maxwell Martin.
A BRIT Award-winning rapper, Aitch, is due to be the focus of the episode broadcast on 22 April, while Rylan Clark is scheduled to be shown in an episode set for broadcast in May. The debut run included names like Danny Dyer, David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall and Gary Lineker, and both series one and the opening episodes of series two are available to stream now on ITVX.
Format, production and scheduling
The Assembly operates on a simple but disruptive premise: familiar faces are asked to respond to direct questions by interviewers who bring lived experience to the conversation. The production was created in consultation with autistic and neurodivergent groups so that the programme reflects best practice in inclusive broadcasting. This second run has been expanded to a seven-episode format and includes a special Unseen edition. Episodes air on ITV1 and stream on ITVX, with Scottish viewers able to watch on STV and STV Player. Commissioning executives at ITV have described the show as warm, mischievous and revealing, noting that the unique panel produces unpredictable and revealing moments for interviewees.
International reach and recognition
The format’s success has prompted versions beyond the UK, with adaptations produced in countries including Canada, Australia and Brazil. Critics and audiences praised the original run for overturning the usual celebrity interview rituals, and those accolades helped the programme secure a place among notable contemporary talk formats. The programme’s recognition, including a BAFTA nomination, reflects both its creative approach and the industry interest in more inclusive, authentic conversation on mainstream television.
Audience reaction and standout moments
Public response to the show’s return has been emphatic, with many viewers praising the interviewers for their directness and warmth. Social posts called the series “the best chat show on TV” and highlighted how the panel’s lack of a media filter can produce unexpectedly hilarious and moving exchanges. Memorable moments from series two include instances where guests were surprised by personal lines of questioning; Sir Lenny Henry reacted candidly to relationship-focused queries and former first minister Nicola Sturgeon was left taken aback by a cheeky comparison to a film character. Meanwhile, guests like Aitch described the experience as “absolutely unreal” and a “breath of fresh air,” saying the encounter left a strong impression that contrasted with their other television work.
Guest reflections
Participants have spoken about the emotional intensity and honesty of the interviews. Actress Anna Maxwell Martin called her episode confronting but praised the panel’s emotional intelligence and openness. Rapper Aitch, who supports disability causes as an ambassador for the Down’s Syndrome Association, said being questioned in that environment reinforced the value of visibility and connection, adding that the experience felt more intense than some of his reality TV appearances.
Why the show matters
The significance of The Assembly extends beyond TV ratings: it shifts who gets to ask questions and how conversations about fame, identity and vulnerability are conducted. By centring interviewers who are neurodivergent or have learning disabilities, the programme broadens representation while also testing celebrity media training and prepared responses. Producers and commissioners argue this approach fosters genuine exchange and empathy, helping audiences rethink assumptions about disability and communication while offering celebrities a rare moment of unscripted scrutiny.
For viewers wanting to catch up, both the first series and the current opening episodes are available on ITVX, and new programmes air on ITV1 and stream on STV and STV Player. Rylan Clark‘s episode is due to be broadcast in May, completing the announced line-up for this expanded second series, and fans can expect more candid, sometimes uncomfortable, but often unexpectedly affectionate conversations as the run continues.
